The Lemon 84 is one of the most iconic and successful gamefowl bloodlines, particularly in the Philippines, where it originated as a refined strain in the 1960s-1970s. It's renowned for its intelligence, precise cutting, and consistent performance in competitions, and it remains a winning line to this day.
History and Origins
The Lemon 84 traces back to American breeder Duke Hulsey, a legendary figure known for his Hatch-Butcher-Claret blends. Hulsey imported several "Lemon" fowl (named for their distinctive lemon-colored hackles) to the Philippines in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The foundational cock for the Lemon 84 line was a specific rooster with legband number 84, acquired by Filipino breeder Rafael "Paeng" Araneta from Negros Occidental. Paeng mated this pea-combed rooster to his own Hulsey Lemon hens, then line-bred the offspring through brother-sister matings and back-crosses to stabilize the traits.
This created a distinct Filipino strain that won the prestigious International Derby in 1972, cementing its reputation. Paeng Araneta is credited as the originator of the Lemon 84 subfamily, which became a base bloodline for many breeders in Bacolod and Negros. Other related Lemon variants emerged (e.g., Batchoy Lemon, Lemon Guapo), but Lemon 84 stands out for its purity and dominance.
The base composition is primarily Hatch-Butcher-Claret, set as a stable strain with excellent cutting ability and defensive timing.
Physical Characteristics
- Plumage: Distinctive lemon hackles (golden-yellow or pumpkin-orange neck feathers), often with black-breasted red or dark red body.
- Comb: Pea comb (most common, from the original #84 cock) or straight comb (from full brothers).
- Legs: Yellow-legged (majority) or green-legged.
- Station: Medium to low/medium.
- Overall Appearance: Athletic build, tight-feathered, with a vibrant, striking look.
Fighting Style and Traits
Lemon 84 is celebrated for its smart, calculated fighting style:
- Exceptional timing and precision – instinctive counter-punching and mid-air clipping.
- Strong cutting ability with powerful, accurate strokes.
- Defensive and evasive, often waiting for the opponent to commit before delivering fatal blows.
- Agile flyers with good all-around athleticism.
Weaknesses: Sometimes noted as medium in gameness (fighting spirit to the end) compared to pure power lines, but they compensate with intelligence and efficiency.
They perform well pure but excel in crosses, blending beautifully with Hatch, Kelso, Claret, Sweater, and others to add smarts and cutting.
The Lemon 84 is a cornerstone of Philippine gamefowl breeding, symbolizing homegrown excellence derived from American foundations. It's still highly sought after by breeders worldwide for its proven track record and versatility.
No comments:
Post a Comment